hydemusic
It's getting time for a new computer. My old (current) studio one is about 4 years old. It's working fine but can only get 16GB ram on my Motherboard. It's an Intel DX68DB LGA 1155 with a i7 2700K 3.5 GHz processor.
My home computer has an Intel DZ77BH-55K LGA 1155 with i7 3770K 3.5 GHz processor which can accommodate 32GB ram. I use Samsung SSD 500GB drives in all of them for my C drive for programs. I use Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7,200 RPM for my files, but considering 2 Samsung SSD 1TB for to replace the Seagate drive.
My Intel MBs were always reliable and never had any issues or compatibility problems with other software programs or VSTs from anyone including IK Multimedia. I know Intel only makes server Motherboards now so I'm looking for suggestions for a good reliable MB with no issues in the $150-$299 range. I do want an ATX MB most likely LGA 1151 or LGA 1150.
Like you my older builds are based on an Intel branded desktop board. Mine were made 10 years ago. Very solid, still running two of them. One as a media center and the other as a print server.
I needed more power a couple of years ago and decided to build a couple of new PC's, one for work, and one to upgrade the DAW. Due to Intel's change of direction, I switched to Asus motherboards, with the Intel chipsets and CPU support.
You will probably get many opinions about which is best (sort of like, what's the best DAW?), so this is just my opinion. I think that Asus boards are high quality, well designed tech. Plus they seem to keep updating the drivers for their boards. I had no trouble finding Windows 10 drivers for my board on their website. Like Intel, Asus downloads are easy to find, no issues, never needed tech support.
The Asus boards that I used have solid polymer capacitors for long life. Been my experience with friend's OEM PC's, that's what seems to go first on cheap boards.
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ This site seems to be a big help in picking PC parts out, researching and matching up compatible features and components and such. Plus it offers reviews, ratings, comparisons with prices and sources as well.
http://pcpartpicker.com/list/ This site starts by having you select the CPU you will be using first. This ensures that you only look at boards with the correct socket. At that point you decide what form factor you want, how much RAM support you need, and the number of PCIe slots, USB ports, and other features you want. You can add each part you pick to a configuration and it will give you a running total for the cost estimate. Very cool.